GAF plans to reopen Gainesville, Texas, plant

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GAF Materials Corp. plans to reopen its state-of-the-art Gainesville, Texas, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) manufacturing facility in January 2011. The 185,000-sq.-ft. facility is the largest operational production line in North America devoted solely to the manufacture of TPO-based single-ply membrane roofing products and will produce GAF's EverGuard TPO roofing membranes and accessories.

“We are taking this action in response to increased demand for our high-quality single-ply membranes,” said Bob Tafaro, president and CEO of GAF. “Customer satisfaction is paramount to our business, and reopening this facility will allow us to improve our customer support as the economy recovers.”

Since the Gainesville plant’s temporary closing, manufacturing of all TPO products and accessories has been handled by the company’s Mt. Vernon, Ind., facility. The reopening is estimated to provide more than 25 local jobs, many to be filled by recalled plant personnel.

“The reopening of this plant enables GAF to continue focusing on growing our TPO business,” said Dick Nowak, executive VP and chief operating officer at GAF. “This location is strategically placed to provide TPO membrane and accessory products to support primarily the western and southern markets.”